Five tennis superstars included on Forbes’ Most Powerful Celebrities list
Five tennis players were included in Forbes’ new Celebrity 100, which is a list of the Top 100 “most powerful people in the entrainment industry this year.” Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Venus Williams are all included on the list, which is headlined by Lady Gaga. The list measures earnings and media visibility, both on traditional outlets such as TV, radio, newspapers and magazines, but also includes web and social media rankings. Federer placed No. 26 ahead of Nadal at No. 46, while Sharapova came in at No. 80. Serena is ranked No. 84, while sister Venus is ranked. No. 86.
Nalbandian awarded first wild card into main draw at AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club
World No. 23 David Nalbandian, a 2002 Wimbledon finalist, has been awarded a main draw wild card at the AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club in London, which will be played from June 6-12. The Argentine, who is not competing at this year’s French Open so he can attempt to remain injury-free for the rest of the season, will be joined in the singles field by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Juan Martin del Potro. “I am looking forward to starting my comeback from injury on grass at the AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club,” said Nalbandian. Tournament officials still have four wild cards to award before the competition begins. “The AEGON Championships has a tradition of using its wild cards to give opportunities to established players who have had a difficult time with injuries,” said Chris Kermode, Tournament Director of the AEGON Championships. “In awarding our first wild card to David Nalbandian we have maintained that tradition, and added an exciting, explosive and entertaining tennis player to our singles main draw.”
Querrey commits to ATP Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport
World No. 28 Sam Querrey has committed to play in the 2011 Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., which will be played from July 4-10. The Californian, who was a finalist in Newport in 2009, joins a remarkable player field that already includes Croatian Ivo Karlovic, 18-year-old Ryan Harrison and rising star Ryan Sweeting. “I’m looking forward to returning to Newport,” said Querrey. “It’s a fun tournament, the fans are great and the opportunity to play in a facility with such great history is something I really enjoy.” Querrey, who just advanced to the second round at Roland Garros after a four-set win over Philipp Kohlschreiber, has won six career ATP World Tour singles titles. Tickets for the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships are on sale now. Members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame save 30 percent on all tickets for Monday through Thursday sessions. To purchase tickets or learn more about the tournament or Hall of Fame membership, call (401) 849-6053 or (866) 914-FAME (3263), or visit the official tournament website at www.tennisfame.com.
del Potro returning to Los Angeles in July to play in Farmers Classic
Juan Martin del Potro, the 2008 Farmers Classic presented by Mercedes-Benz champion, has committed to play in this year’s tournament, which will take place at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on the campus of UCLA in Westwood from July 25-31. The 2009 US Open champion, who was limited with tournament action last year due to injury, has already won tournaments in Delray Beach and Estoril this season. “I really look forward to returning to the Farmers Classic and Los Angeles this summer where I won my first major American event,” said del Potro. “My tremendous early success and victory over Andy Roddick really helped me launch my run to the world’s Top 10. I have many great memories of the Farmers Classic fans, UCLA Tennis Center, and the beautiful city of Los Angeles.”
McEnroe to play in the AEGON Masters Tennis at Royal Albert Hall in London
After a three-year absence, 52-year-old tennis legend John McEnroe will return to Royal Albert Hall in London to participate in the AEGON Masters Tennis, which will be played from November 30-December 4. “The London tournament has always been one of my favorite events of the year; the crowds are really fantastic, the atmosphere is great and the Royal Albert Hall is one of the most spectacular arenas I’ve ever played in,” said McEnroe. From 1997-1999, McEnroe won the singles title at Royal Albert Hall. “I’m really excited to be back playing at the AEGON Masters Tennis in London this year.”
Harrison hires McCain as coach through US Open
18-year-old American Ryan Harrison told several U.S. reporters at the French Open that he hired former UC Berkeley men’s tennis coach Scott McCain several weeks ago as his new coach through the US Open. McCain will also coach India’s Somdev Devvarman, a former standout player at the University of Virginia. “Moving forward, Scott’s helped me tremendously and I have played competitive matches since he’s been with me,” said Harrison. “Hitting-wise, my game is going to where I want it to and Scott can get me there. I couldn’t have more respect for his knowledge of the game.” Harrison, who as a lucky loser lost in four sets on Tuesday to two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling, was fined $2,500 after losing in the final round of qualifying for throwing his racquet over the fence after losing. Harrison will next attempt to qualify for the main draw at the AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club in London.
US Open Casting Call set for June 21 at New York City’s famous Apollo Theater
Last Wednesday, the USTA announced that it will host its annual open casting call at the famed Apollo Theater in New York City on Tuesday, June 21 to select children to perform at the 2011 US Open, which will take place from August 29-September 11. Each child selected will have the opportunity to perform live at Arthur Ashe Stadium during a night session of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. The auditions are free of charge and will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET. Children 12 years of age and younger as of September 11, 2011, will be asked to sing “America the Beautiful” a cappella in front of a panel of celebrity judges from the music and entertainment industries. Judges for this year’s talent search have yet to be determined. “The casting call is a popular US Open tradition as these young singers continue to captivate the New York crowds,” said Gordon Smith, Executive Director and COO, USTA. “We are excited to bring this annual competition to a new venue in the Apollo, and expect that the judges will have some difficult choices to make as they do every year.” The USTA will announce in early-July which children have won an opportunity to sing during the prestigious US Open on Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of as many as 24,000 fans. In addition to singing at the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, the winners will receive a US Open gift bag and tickets to their performance session. For more information on the open casting calling, including official rules, visit www.usopen.org.
Tennis songs available on iTunes
Rafael Nadal is currently on the hunt for a sixth title at the French Open – and is doing so with a song about him now available for sale on iTunes. “Vamos Rafa” is the song written by New Jersey band “Binge” about Nadal that is now available for purchase on iTunes. The world’s No. 1 song is available for .99 cents at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tennis-tunes-ep/id423340011?ls=1. Other “Tennis Tunes” written and recorded by BINGE including “Grand Slam Man (Roger Federer),” “Hey, Hey, It’s Andy Roddick,” “C’mon C’mon Lleyton Hewitt,” “Maria Sharapova” and “Martina Bambina.”
Djokovic prepares for French Open by celebrating birthday in style at Serbian Embassy in Paris
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who owns a 38-match win streak in 2011, geared up for a French Open title campaign by celebrating his 24th birthday at the Serbian Embassy in Paris on Sunday with family, politicians, tennis officials, media representatives and with fellow Serbian players Ana Ivanovic, Janko Tipsarevic, Nenad Zimonjic and Victor Troicki. “I received a lot of gifts from my family and from close friends,” said Djokovic. “It was really nice.”
Tennis Industry Association and USTA to present “The Tennis Show 2011”
On Saturday, August 27 at the Grand Hyatt New York City, the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and USTA will present “The Tennis Show 2011”, which will be a collaborative celebration of tennis featuring educational and informative presentations leading into the opening session of the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference. The Tennis Show 2011 will feature a trade show, the TIA Tennis Forum, and the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame Award Ceremony. Featured speakers at the opening session include USTA Player Development General Manager Patrick McEnroe and USTA Chief Executive of Community Tennis Kurt Kamperman.